English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Take the cake
Meaning
The idiom "take the cake" is used to describe something that is really impressive or outstanding. It can be used to praise someone's performance, achievement, or decision. The phrase has its roots in English and has been in use for several centuries.
The literal meaning of the idiom "take the cake" is to take the entire cake or a large portion of it. However, figuratively, it means to surpass or outdo something impressive. For example, if someone's performance is exceptional, you might say, "That was a really impressive performance. It took the cake!"
Usage
- John's presentation was so engaging that it took the cake in the competition.
- Sarah's singing voice took the cake at the open mic night.
- The new restaurant's ambiance and food quality took the cake compared to its competitors.
- The company's innovative marketing strategy took the cake, resulting in a 50% increase in sales.
- Mark's decision to take a gap year from college before starting his career took the cake for him. The usage of "take the cake" can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used to praise someone's accomplishment, but also to criticize their decision or performance if it was not impressive enough.
Roots and History
The idiom "take the cake" has been in use since the 18th century in England. The phrase "to take the cake" means to outdo something, surpass someone, or be the best of the best. It is believed that the phrase comes from the idea that the person who takes the largest part of the cake would have bragging rights and be considered the best. Over time, the idiom has evolved to mean more than just taking a large portion of the cake.
Synonyms in English
- Outdoing others
- Exceeding expectations
- Standing out from the crowd
- Being exceptional
- Achieving greatness
Synonyms in other languages
- En français: "Excèder les attentes" (to exceed expectations)
- In Spanish: "Superar las expectativas" (to exceed expectations)
- In Italian: "Eccellenza" (excellence)
- In German: "Ausgeszeichnet" (outstanding)
- In Japanese: "Outstanding" (スタンダードないのですか)